Clearing the courts

State supreme courts lifted their clearance rates in the 2011-12 year, with most finalising more cases than were lodged in the period, according to Productivity Commission figures released this week.

The Supreme Court of Victoria had a clearance rate of 106.2 per cent in the year for appeal cases.

Clearance rates are determined by dividing the number of finalisations by the number of cases lodged. A score greater than 100 per cent shows more cases are being finalised than lodged.

The Victorian government said in the report that “the year saw significant demand growth matched by outstanding clearance rates".

For non-appeal matters, all jurisdictions bar South Australia had a clearance rate of greater than 100 per cent.

ACT was the best, at 172.3 per cent, followed by Queensland (129.2 per cent), NSW (125.3 per cent) and Victoria (114.5 per cent). Clearance rates can vary depending on the complexity of cases and are affected by the level of resources given by governments to the courts.